The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-06
Printed BY Special arrangements copyrighted 1871
ssDARTHULY."
A Story of the Tennessee Mountains.
BY WILLIAM PERRY BROWN.
PART I.

PART /.
The blacksmth's shop at Hiawasse Gap was
literal cave, half way up the side Of huge cliff.
Across the roaring river, a still higher line OF
cliffs extend for mile or so. rising perpendicu-
larly to dizzy height, until their corrugated
brows recede into the gently swelling outlines
that usually round out the more southerly sum-
mits Of the Chilhomes. narrow road twisted
sinuously up the sides of the gorge to kind of
basin followed out of the overhanging rocks,
where, beneath beetling crag, yawned the
smthy, its sides, roof and floor of natures own
carving, while its front was partially boarded
with slabs from the little eawmill at the mouth
of Greasy creek, three miles above.
A small cabin OF split logs, ''clay daubed'
and with stick chimney also nestled near
by, amid truck patch OF half an acre. that occu-
pied all the available space within this veritable
cro'-nestD peerng over the precipice three hun
dred feet above the little ferry and government
still-house below. A far off glimpse of the broad
ridges and meadows of the Tennessee valley
could be seen below the gap; while above. mar
row vista of Wild blue mountains. seemingly
tumbled one above the other, bounded the view
towards the east.
spring dubbed from cleft in the noun tain
side, which here burst upward into the vast prec-
ipce that lowered over the blacksmth's home
Under the hoilys and oaks thereby was the
smiths wife, batting clothes upon block.
with a portion of the weeks wash sprinkling the
bushes around her.
Jim Cheek her husband. a huge slow-mo.
toned, blueeyed giant, swung himself slowly
up the trail leading from the ferry. He paused
~ adrpire ifa'c rlnrnn foura and hrisk eun-
pie movements. Wonder had also mingled with
his admiration ever since-two years aco-he
had taken her from the great hotel at White
Cliff Springs, whore, though only waitress, her
airs and eraces had impressed themselves upon
his primitive imaginings as those of queen in
disguise. A wonder that. with her fresh dark
beauty and vivacious manners she could have
seen anything in him to love and cling to.
He knew but little of her past, nor had their
welded intimacy added much to his previous
knowledge. except that she was from Nashville;
that her parents were both dead, and that She
alone in the world-had drifted from one en-
ployment to another down to Chattanooga
thence to the town of Athens, and from there to
her summers berth at White Cliff The blessed
of relief that comes 10 world tossed femi
nine waf, in the hope of realizing a home of her
own had rendered Jims awkward movements
bovine wit and simple ways not only endurable,
but attractive to her Thus it came about that
in transfxing him with wonder at his own sue
cess. she had come to share his humble lot with
5he same grace and vivacity that had fascinated
oim at the great hotel, whittier the mountain
FOLK wont to resort in ranshackie vehicles
TO dispose of their poultry. butter and eggs
How quickly she had adapted herself to the
narrow toisome, isolated existence OF the
mountains. .'She RELY talks jest like we'uns,
thought Jim. ''She makes like US in all her be
longin's. and yet. somehow. she amt nary b
like US, after ALL l wonder if hits only
make believe, jest ter please me and that thai
young UNI
That thar young 'un," the visible result O
their union, blue eyed, brown haired baby
scarce thirteen months old, that now lay asleel
upon its blankets under holly bush, while IL
mother sang 10 the resembling accompaniment
of her paddle in a manner confrmative Of jim
ref1ections
Some folks say the niggers won't steal,
But ketched i'll my corn -tiel;
Run mig ger, run.
Patterol ketch you:
Run Niger run.
Hit amos day"
"Durn me- how she can sing" said ha to Tim
aelf as leaned across the top rail of the fanc
watching her. CHANGING up from her worl
she saw him there, and in her impulsive way
dropped her paddle and was at his side in
moment.
Now you're at it again, said she. you grsa
big mountain of laziness. You've jest GOT TO b
punished right here"
Inc nature OF the punishment OeltGd the sc
verify OF her words, and consisted in SeiZing hi
ears, pulling his big head down to level wit
her own, and planting sounding smack upo
Jims eiephantine lips.
who wouldn't be loaferin in sech com
papy! remarked the proud husband, smackin
his lips like boy his candy. 'But IL
Jest pestered about We, Darthuly. Ye neve
lake no time TO rest. onet We git started tie
work. Pears like We wuz afeerd ter spell yel
self
Listen at this yer man." she replied playfulIy
yet with serious croop of her large black eyes
''Ain't ye all'ays hammerin' an BLOWN i
that thar shop. and shouldn't | do my part a
welll Rely. jim I'm master sight better O
ter be busy, aud--there's man and horse rigi
at the shop door waitn fur we, and her
We air O courti me IS ushelb
"iits the Few gauger es coined last night te
the stiil-house. He wants a new shoe on hi
critters off fore foot. Don't We hurt yourself
workin' honey, jos bekase ye can
With this chronic injunction on his lips, il,
hastened to the shop. Darthuly looked after him
moment then suffered her gaze to wande
down to the brawling river below, and upwar
along the opposite cliffs, until her eyes reste
Absently upon the swelling eummits of I'll
mountains The sun shmInered upon the di
tant pines sharply outlined against tho SIX
above her, while the wind. whistling down tn
gap from those aerial heights. toyed with h,
tumbled curls az It's nonotonous soueh mingle
with the roar of the waters below.
The white steam from the stil-house whirle
upward into invisibility against the green bacl
ground of spruce and fir clinging to the cliff
The tinkle Of a cow bell foated down from I'll
seen heights above; large hawk hung lazily
mid cir over tho widest crags. Surely. banea,
the wind and the rivers roar there was a lethea
glamour in tha air, harmonizing the savacer
of nature with the peaceful influences of II
hour
Was its charm working upon her mind as 81
leaned upon the fence oblivious of her tas
or had she really given heed to Jim's admor
ton ITO be keerfui' and rest The sprightly q
cision of her face had given way to an EXPIRE
sion of gentle and regretful sadness. Once
twice she sighed, then her thoughts seemed
fnd disconnected utterance.
$50 good, SO true watchful of my comfol
Why cannot love him as he does mel'
The mountain dialect had disappeared fro